Editing Right Said Fred (section)

== History ==

===1989–1991: Formation===
Prior to forming Right Said Fred, the Fairbrass brothers had been playing music since the mid-1970s: as part of a band called the Actors, the brothers had toured with [[Suicide (band)|Suicide]] and supported [[Joy Division]] at the [[Factory Records#1978–1979|Factory club]] in Manchester.<ref name=guardian>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2017/apr/04/how-we-made-right-said-fred-im-too-sexy-interview |title=How we made Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy |last=Simpson |first=Dave |date=4 April 2017 |website=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref>

The Fairbrass brothers formed the group in 1989, with Richard on lead vocals and bass and Fred on guitar. Prior to forming the group, Richard was employed as a session bassist for artists including [[Boy George]], [[Mick Jagger]]<ref name=guardian /> and [[David Bowie]], and appears as the bass guitarist in Bowie's short film ''[[Jazzin' for Blue Jean]]''.<ref>{{YouTube|DXvAaNcXNzI|Official David Bowie video}} showing Richard Fairbrass playing bass.</ref> In 1987, Fred appeared as a guitarist in the [[Bob Dylan]] vehicle ''[[Hearts of Fire]]''.<ref name=guardian />

The group was named after the novelty song "[[Right Said Fred (song)|Right Said Fred]]", which was a hit single for singer and actor [[Bernard Cribbins]] in 1962. The Fairbrass brothers were originally accompanied by drummer Ray Weston and guitarist Dan Kruse. Weston left in 1990 to join the progressive rock group [[Wishbone Ash]] and Kruse left the next year. Guitarist Rob Manzoli joined in 1990 and remained with the group until 1997.

===1991–1992: ''I’m Too Sexy'' and ''Up''===
In July 1991, the group released its debut single and best-known song, "[[I'm Too Sexy]]", on the independent London-based record label Tug Records. The Fairbrass brothers have stated that the song's lyrics are centred on certain users of the gym they owned in London, who they claimed had no shame. "A lot of models used our gym, so we thought it was time to start poking [fun] at them," Fred stated.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1992-02-09-ca-3255-story.html|title=POP MUSIC : Right Said Fred: A Model Trio|date=1992-02-09|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=2019-06-18|language=en-US|issn=0458-3035}}</ref>

The song was a considerable hit in the United Kingdom, spending six weeks at number two in the charts behind [[Bryan Adams]]' "[[(Everything I Do) I Do It for You]]", and three months in the Top 10. The song also went to number one in 32 countries, including the United States, where it topped the [[Billboard Hot 100|''Billboard'' Hot 100]] chart.<ref>[[Fred Bronson|Bronson, Fred]] (2003). ''The Billboard Book of #1 Hits'', 5th Edition (Billboard Publications)</ref> The song earned the band a nomination for an [[Ivor Novello award]].<ref name="The Ivors">{{cite web|url= http://www.theivors.com|title= The Ivors |access-date= 2 January 2015}}</ref>  "I'm Too Sexy" has subsequently been used in over 40 television shows and movies, including ''[[My Wife and Kids]]'', ''[[The Simpsons]]'', ''[[The West Wing]]'', and ''[[EastEnders]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1654804/|title= Right Said Fred's IMDb page |website= [[IMDb]] |access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref>

Their second single, "[[Don't Talk Just Kiss]]", with background vocals by soul singer [[Jocelyn Brown]], was released in October 1991. It made number 3 in the United Kingdom Christmas charts, entered the top five in many countries, and reached number eight in the United States dance chart.<ref name="Whitburn">[[Joel Whitburn|Whitburn, Joel]] (2004). ''Hot Dance/Disco 1974–2003'', (Record Research Inc.)</ref>

In February 1992, the band released its third single, "[[Deeply Dippy]]". This was number one in the United Kingdom for three weeks, and peaked at number nine in the United States dance chart.<ref name="Whitburn"/>

The success of the singles resulted in the band's multi-platinum debut album, ''[[Up (Right Said Fred album)|Up]]'', reaching number one in the United Kingdom album charts as well as charting worldwide. The album remained in the Top 40 for almost a year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/_/right%20said%20fred/|title=RIGHT SAID FRED|publisher=Officialcharts.com|access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref> In Germany a fifth single "Love For All Seasons" charted at # 65 in 1993.

In 1992, [[Heavenly Records]] released an EP that featured the label's acts covering Right Said Fred songs for charity. ''[[The Fred EP]]'' contains [[Saint Etienne (band)|Saint Etienne]] (performing "I'm Too Sexy"), [[The Rockingbirds]] ("Deeply Dippy") and [[Flowered Up]] ("Don't Talk Just Kiss").<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discogs.com/Flowered-Up-St-Etienne-Rockingbirds-The-Fred-EP/release/138741|title=Flowered Up, St Etienne*, Rockingbirds, The – The Fred EP|date=26 October 1992 |publisher=Discogs.com|access-date=28 September 2014}}</ref>

=== Remainder of the 1990s ===

==== 1993–1994: ''Sex and Travel'' ====
Early in 1993 Fred, Richard and Rob wrote and recorded the [[Comic Relief]] single "[[Stick It Out (Right Said Fred song)|Stick It Out]]", which was a top-five hit in the United Kingdom and in many European countries. In September 1993, Right Said Fred released its second album, ''Sex and Travel''. ''Sex and Travel'' included the singles "Bumped" and "Hands Up (for Lovers)".<ref>{{cite web|url= https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sex-and-travel/id363573835|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160306174158/https://itunes.apple.com/gb/album/sex-and-travel/id363573835|url-status= dead|archive-date= 6 March 2016|title= Apple iTunes |website= [[iTunes]] |date= 4 January 1993 |access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref> The band received its second Ivor Novello award for "Deeply Dippy" in 1993.<ref name="The Ivors" />

==== 1995–1996: ''Smashing!'' ====
Right Said Fred parted company with Tug Records and then released its third album, ''Smashing!'', in 1996 on the band's own label Happy Valley Records, including the singles "Living on a Dream", "Big Time" and "Everybody Loves Me".

==== 1997–2001: Manzoli leaves, ''You’re My Mate'' and ''Fredhead'' ====
Rob Manzoli left the band on friendly terms in 1997{{citation needed|date=September 2018}}.  In 1998, Fred and Richard set up their own recording studio in London and started writing and recording what became the album ''Fredhead''.

In 2000, Right Said Fred signed to [[BMG Music|Kingsize/BMG Berlin]] in Germany. The first single from ''Fredhead'' was "You're My Mate" (co-written with hard rock guitarist [[Myke Gray]].{{Citation needed|date=March 2013}} Other singles from ''Fredhead'' were "Mojive" (Ward) and "Love Song" ([[Agostino Carollo]]).

=== 21st century ===

==== 2002–2003: ''Stand Up'' ====
The second Kingsize/BMG album ''[[Stand Up (Right Said Fred album)|Stand Up]]'' was released in 2002. The lead single was "[[Stand Up (For the Champions)]]", composed by Clyde Ward and the Fairbrass brothers.

==== 2004–2006: ''For Sale'' ====
Due to family ill-health, Fred and Richard took some time out from travelling to write and record the single "We Are the Freds" and the album ''For Sale'' for the Ministry of Sound.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.com/Sale-Right-Said-Fred/dp/B000CEGW5Q/ref=pd_sim_m_2|title= For Sale on Amazon|website= Amazon|access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref> In late 2004, Right Said Fred toured extensively in Europe.

==== 2007–2010: ''I'm a Celebrity'' ====
[[File:RSF LIVE EUROPEAN TOUR crop.jpg|thumb|right|Germany 2009]]
During 2007 and 2008, Fred and Richard collaborated with Clyde Ward to write and record their sixth album ''[[I'm a Celebrity (album)|I'm a Celebrity]]''. The album was produced by Ward, and for the United States release, Right Said Fred worked with David Levine at Promark Music. In late July 2009, Right Said Fred released "Sexy Bum" in Germany, the first single from the band's ''HITS!'' album.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hits-Right-Said-Fred/dp/B002OQYVK8|title= HITS! on Amazon|website= Amazon UK|access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref> The band toured in support of the album in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.mtv.com/artists/right-said-fred/discography/2693594/|archive-url= https://archive.today/20141209165413/http://www.mtv.com/artists/right-said-fred/discography/2693594/|url-status= dead|archive-date= 9 December 2014|title= Night of the Living Fred|website= [[MTV]]|access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref>

==== 2011–2012: ''Sexaholic'' ====
Right Said Fred collaborated with Norwegian writers/producers Dsign Music to record ''Sexaholic'', released in 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://dsign.no/video/right-said-fred-sxaholic/|title= Dsign – Right Said Fred |access-date= 2 January 2014}}</ref> 

==== 2013–present: ''Raise Your Hands'' ====
Richard spoke at an [[Oxford Union]] debate.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.oxfordtimes.co.uk/news/10165976.Right_Said_Fred_star_to_debate_gay_adoption/?ref=nt|title= Oxford Times: Right Said Fred star to debate gay adoption |date= 17 January 2013 |access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref> TV appearances included an acoustic performance on the UK’s ''[[Celebrity Big Brother (UK TV series)|Celebrity Big Brother]]'' TV show.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2033552/fullcredits/ |title= IMDb: Big Brother's Bit on the Side - 10 |website= [[IMDb]] |access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref>

RSF began writing and recording new tracks with Paul Statham (Who had previously worked with artists such as: Dido, Jim Kerr, Kylie Minogue, The Saturdays).<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.amazon.com/Dont-Make-Laugh-Paul-Statham/dp/B00J23G88Y |title= Amazon: Don't Make Me Laugh (Paul Statham), Right Said Fred |website= Amazon |access-date= 9 December 2014}}</ref> The band released the single "Sweet Treats" in January 2017 from the album ''Exactly!''<ref>[https://www.rightsaidfred.com/ReleaseDetails?rid=RSF_WRE_5 "Sweet Treats"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170509030010/https://www.rightsaidfred.com/ReleaseDetails?rid=RSF_WRE_5 |date=9 May 2017 }}, RSF Official website</ref> In August 2017, Right Said Fred's members Richard Fairbrass and Fred Fairbrass, were credited as songwriters on the [[Taylor Swift]] single "[[Look What You Made Me Do]]" alongside [[Jack Antonoff]] and Swift herself. The song's chorus is an [[Interpolation (popular music)|interpolation]] of the famous chorus from "I'm Too Sexy".<ref name="rsfrs">{{cite magazine|last1=Grow|first1=Cory|title=Right Said Fred on Taylor Swift's 'Cynical' 'Look What You Made Me Do'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/features/right-said-fred-praise-cynical-taylor-swift-song-w499547|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=25 August 2017|access-date=25 August 2017}}</ref>

In May 2022, Phoenix Music International released the band's single "Godsend", dubbing the duo the 'UK’s most controversial band' after a number of anti-[[COVID-19 vaccine]]-themed Twitter posts and appearances in the press during the UK pandemic lockdowns. In 2022, they were involved in leafleting for British anti-climate change activist group, Not Our Future, in Oxford.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-01-14 |title=Oxford residents dubbed 'guinea pigs' over traffic policy |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-oxfordshire-64223058 |access-date=2023-01-14}}</ref>